The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-01-02
IN THE WILD WOODS.
The Heroic Capture of an In
famous Robber.
DETECTIVES DILEMMA.
Afeer Fugitive-The trug-
gle in the Wood.

1t was just ten days before Christmas.
a few years ago, that l was assigned
to work up one of the most infamous
robberies on record. An old lady liv-
ing near Baltimore. had her trunk
rifed of all its contents, which in
cluded $1,000 in small bills, "a gold
watch and several gold trinkets. She
suspected a man-servant named Job
Latimer, to whom she had given EN-
ployment a few months before, and
who disappeared at the same time as
the money. A description OF the party
showed him to be man of gigantic
strength, with repulsive countenance
and close cropped hair, which gave the
| impression that he had recently been
confined in a prison. 1 reported the
case to my chief, who gave me full
power to work it up as 1 thought best.
Information of the robbery, together
with a description of the suspected
party, was telegraphed all over the
| country, but nothing was heard
in reply for several days. Then
a dispatch came from Kansas
| City stating that man answer
ing the description OF the Balti
more robber had been arrested the
night before in tina ny, charged with
being drunk and di icrly. l packet
nv yalise and at 81 started for the
west. where I arrived in due time and
was introduced to the prisoner.
Sure enough, it was my man, II the
description the old lady gave me went
for ANYTHING. He at first pretended TO
know nothing about the robbery, SAD
he had never been in Baltimore, and
did not even know where the place was,
When pinned him down with the facts
in nv possession, and told him that l
knew all about the large sum of money
| which had been taken from him when
he was arrested the night before. he
owned up. and seemed to express genu-
Inc regret for what he had done.
Here / lett him to consult with the
chi, as to trains, etc.
| YOU'D peter keep sharp lookout
| for your man." said that official; "he
locks like a desperate fellow"
thanked him, of course, but al
ready knew l had q dangerous JOB
ahead of me. The next morning l
called at the Jail bril- hit and early, and
had another talk with Latlmer. DE
said he felt unwell. and desired glass
of brandy. l told him he could nave a
drink later on. While on the way to
the depot we stopped in saloon and
got drink. 1t seemed to revive the
prisoner, and put him IN good spirits
We boarded the train and TOOK seats III
the smoking-car. Soon after we were
| "a direction nf homo
and | felt that the worst part OF my JOB
was over. but it was not so, by large
majority. ~
| thirst soon after we lett Kansas City,
which water was unable to'quench.
At first l accompanied him to the
ice cooler each time he wanted drink,
fet ring he meant mischief; but after
wards | became convinced that his
thirst was real, and allowed him 10
leave me unattended. l always Watcht d
him, however, ready to spring upon n m
if he attempted to escape.
During one of his trips to the water
cooler | took occasion TO place my
revolver in little valise, in which
had some legal papers and change oil
linen, as it was becoming very uncom
portable in my pc cket.
This was Latimer chance, and he
availed himself OF it. Just as | turned
to look for him l saw him on the plat
form of the car in the act OF jumping
off. | rushed to the bell rope and
pulled 1T. but before the gong sounded
in the engine room Latimer had jumped
off and was rapidly disappearing IN
the mountains. AS the train was run
ming on express time knew 1t must be
some little time before 1t could come ~
standsti.l, so l, too, jumped oil and
started in pursuit of the fugitive.
When l had gotten well up TO the
spot where Latimer got OFT LOOKED
back and saw the express come 10
halt and then start of again, the con-
dnctor evidently thinking l would 10!
return.
the mountain out of sight, l suddenly
discovered that | had lett my Valise,
containing my revolver and some I'M
portant papers In the car. e.,
| realized my position at once. mere
was alone in the wild woods. probably
inhabited with bears and other IN
friendly animals, and, worst OF all
with dangerous man. couIo hot
tu1n back. My reputation was at
SIHkP. 80 L ~
b, st of il.
Wien got to the top Of the noun
tain, 1 looked for house OF some kind,
but in vain. l walked through bushes
and over rocks until came to path,
.FLis followed, and discovered that 1t
led to a hut. The only occupant
of he hut was an old man. probably
20 years old, of whom 1 asked infor--
nation concerning the whereabouts OF
the fugitive. He was dressed N an old |
sack, with a blanket for covering,
and had rags wrapped about his feet. |
H. could not understand word l said. !
!, When L attempted to explain l spoke
in rather a LOUD tone. which frightened |
him so that he ran off aud laid in the
woods. then followed the path lead
iro from The hut, until came to the
railroad track. ,..,, |
A short distance up the track met |
several railroad men, whom L also |
questioned about Latimer. They had |
not seen him. Very much discouraged,
7 kent on until / reached house kept |
Nv a Section boss of the railroad COM |
pany.
of the house, in answer to my question,
"there was q strange man mere little
while ago who asked for a drink OF !
water. but don't know which way he 1